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Purdue Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Boilermakers

By Jerran Anderson

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball in the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) dunks the ball in the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch /

Projected Starting Lineup

Point Guard – Braden Smith

Braden Smith made quite the debut in the Big Ten this past season, earning All-Big Ten Freshmen team by season’s end with his exploits at the floor general spot. He averaged 9.7 ppg, 4.4 apg, 4.2 rpg and 1.2 spg across 35 appearances in his debut season for the Boilermakers. He shot 37.6 percent from deep while leading the offense and finishing fifth in the conference in assists (153). He’ll look to continue his development with some backup off the bench that should help them along this season.

Shooting Guard – Fletcher Loyer

Fletcher Loyer is another freshman who saw success in the Purdue rotation this past season as a starter. He fared well at the off-guard role for the Boilermakers in 2022-23, averaging 11.0 ppg, 2.4 apg and 1.7 rpg on 32.6 percent shooting from deep and 36.7 percent shooting from the field. He’s a volume shooter and creator without the ball in his hands who should continue his development with Zach Edey drawing attention in the frontcourt.

Small Forward – Ethan Morton

Ethan Morton should fill the void for the Boilermakers at the starting small forward role. He started in 29 of his 35 appearances, appearing in 25.1 mpg this past year. He’s a physical presence at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds capable of defending a few different positions on the floor. His production should grow after he put up just 3.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.4 apg in 2022-23. Think of him as a glue guy for this rotation given his ability to do multiple things on both ends.

Power Forward – Caleb Furst

Caleb Furst is another connector in the starting rotation given his efficiency in the painted area who should see minutes at the starting power forward role. He produced 5.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg on 51.3 percent shooting from the field in 2022-23. While he isn’t the greater perimeter shooting threat, he has his size to his advantage at 6-foot-10.

Center – Zach Edey

Zach Edey returns to the Purdue rotation looking to add more hardware to the case after winning 2022-23 AP Player of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, the Wooden Award, Naismith Award and Big Ten Tournament MVP in Year 3. He provided stellar support in the frontcourt with 22.3 ppg, 12.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg and 1.5 apg on 60.7 percent shooting from the field.

His ability to operate in the painted area at 7-foot-4 makes the Boilermakers contenders once again to run the tables in the conference. He’s one of the best big men in college basketball and should remain a top projected pick in this year’s NBA Draft.

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